An internet search for “weird laws in Utah” churns out tons of results – many of which aren’t accurate. In fact, when we started researching this article, we found all kinds of claims about illegal things in Utah, but couldn’t locate many of them in any ordinance or code. However, we were able to find a few weird laws in Utah that are actually on the books. Some make sense, while others will have you scratching your head.
- Throw Rocks Somewhere Else
Robert/flickr Logan has a law against throwing rocks “to annoy any traveler or pedestrian." Unless, of course, you get the property owner’s permission; then you can be as annoying as you’d like.
- Bury Your Pet Promptly
Dwayne/flickr In St. George, you have two days to bury a deceased pet. Forget sitting Shiva or holding a wake.
- Wait Until You’re Acknowledged
Roddy Keetch/flickr In Price, it’s against the law to interrupt the city engineer while he is engaged in official duty. We wonder if his secretary is aware of this law?
- Whale Hunting is Illegal
Isaac Kohane/flickr Those plans you had to harpoon a whale in the Great Salt Lake have just been thwarted.
- Don’t Mess With the Milkman
Chris Jagers/flickr In Salt Lake City, you can only have “casual contact” with the milkman. There are no laws on the books regarding the gardener or the paperboy, in case you’re wondering.
- Bait Your Hook Properly
Keith McDuffee/flickr While you’re fishing, you cannot use or possess corn or hominy. Maybe fish are so wild about our Utah sweet corn that it’s an unfair advantage…but hominy? Really? We’re pretty sure a fat, juicy worm would be more appetizing.
- No Sheep Herding Down the Streets of Salt Lake City
Drew Mackie/flickr You can’t just drive your animals down any street in the city - unless the mayor gives you permission.
- You Must Drive on the Road
Edgar Zuniga Jr./flickr It’s illegal to drive on the sidewalk. Why the Utah state legislature thought this one had to be on the books is beyond us…seems like a no-brainer. Maybe Utahns watch too many action movies?
- “Look Ma, No Hands!” is Illegal
shazam791/flickr Utah mothers must have lobbied for this one. In Utah, you’re required to keep one hand on the handlebars of your bike at all times. Because it’s all fun and games…until someone gets hurt.
- Keep Your Potty Mouth to Yourself
Melissa Wiese/flickr Swearing is illegal in Logan. So when your kids are driving you to insanity, you can’t say those words you’d like to say. Also illegal: “fighting words.” That oughta shut your kids up - tell little Joey that if he doesn’t stop threatening to punch his brother, you’ll have him arrested.
Go ahead, be honest. How many times have you broken the law? (Your secret’s safe with us.)
Robert/flickr
Logan has a law against throwing rocks “to annoy any traveler or pedestrian." Unless, of course, you get the property owner’s permission; then you can be as annoying as you’d like.
Dwayne/flickr
In St. George, you have two days to bury a deceased pet. Forget sitting Shiva or holding a wake.
Roddy Keetch/flickr
In Price, it’s against the law to interrupt the city engineer while he is engaged in official duty. We wonder if his secretary is aware of this law?
Isaac Kohane/flickr
Those plans you had to harpoon a whale in the Great Salt Lake have just been thwarted.
Chris Jagers/flickr
In Salt Lake City, you can only have “casual contact” with the milkman. There are no laws on the books regarding the gardener or the paperboy, in case you’re wondering.
Keith McDuffee/flickr
While you’re fishing, you cannot use or possess corn or hominy. Maybe fish are so wild about our Utah sweet corn that it’s an unfair advantage…but hominy? Really? We’re pretty sure a fat, juicy worm would be more appetizing.
Drew Mackie/flickr
You can’t just drive your animals down any street in the city - unless the mayor gives you permission.
Edgar Zuniga Jr./flickr
It’s illegal to drive on the sidewalk. Why the Utah state legislature thought this one had to be on the books is beyond us…seems like a no-brainer. Maybe Utahns watch too many action movies?
shazam791/flickr
Utah mothers must have lobbied for this one. In Utah, you’re required to keep one hand on the handlebars of your bike at all times. Because it’s all fun and games…until someone gets hurt.
Melissa Wiese/flickr
Swearing is illegal in Logan. So when your kids are driving you to insanity, you can’t say those words you’d like to say. Also illegal: “fighting words.” That oughta shut your kids up - tell little Joey that if he doesn’t stop threatening to punch his brother, you’ll have him arrested.
So, did you know about these weird laws in Utah? Know of any other strange things about Utah? Or, maybe you have some fun facts about Utah? Tell us!
Can’t get enough of Utah’s quirkiness? Click here to read about the weirdest places you can go in Utah.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Weird Laws In Utah September 02, 2021 Daniella DiRienzo Are there any other weird laws in Utah? When it comes to weird laws in Utah, the laws mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are several other illegal things in Utah that’ll have you scratching your head. For instance, it’s illegal to cause any sort of catastrophe in Utah. So, what exactly qualifies as a catastrophe? Well, according to the state’s criminal code, a catastrophe is defined as the “use of a weapon of mass destruction or explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction.” What are some other illegal things in Utah that are on the odd side? Weird laws in Utah are plentiful. One such law is that it’s illegal to modify the weather in Utah – without a permit, that is. According to the Utah Administrative Code, weather modifications include “all acts undertaken to artificially distribute or create nuclei in cloud masses for the purposes of altering precipitation, cloud forms, or other meteorological parameters." Some weird laws in Utah are only applicable in certain cities, such as the Kaysville law that states you can’t enter a convenience store after dark without presenting an I.D. Trout Creek is another Utah town with an unusual law – you can’t use gunpowder to cure a headache. Apparently, this law came about because pharmacists once prescribed gunpowder to remedy headaches. What are some fun facts about Utah? Just like weird laws in Utah, fun facts about Utah about abundant. For example, did you know that Utah is the only state where every county contains a portion of a national forest? Or, what about the fact that the inventor of the Frisbee as well as the inventor of the prototype of the first all-electric television are both from Utah? Lastly, there’s the fact that Utah is the only state whose capital is three words long. Interestingly enough, it was initially four words long. That’s right; Salt Lake City was originally known as Great Salt Lake City; however, it was eventually shortened because it was deemed too similar to Great Salt Lake.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Weird Laws In Utah
September 02, 2021
Daniella DiRienzo
Are there any other weird laws in Utah? When it comes to weird laws in Utah, the laws mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are several other illegal things in Utah that’ll have you scratching your head. For instance, it’s illegal to cause any sort of catastrophe in Utah. So, what exactly qualifies as a catastrophe? Well, according to the state’s criminal code, a catastrophe is defined as the “use of a weapon of mass destruction or explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction.” What are some other illegal things in Utah that are on the odd side? Weird laws in Utah are plentiful. One such law is that it’s illegal to modify the weather in Utah – without a permit, that is. According to the Utah Administrative Code, weather modifications include “all acts undertaken to artificially distribute or create nuclei in cloud masses for the purposes of altering precipitation, cloud forms, or other meteorological parameters." Some weird laws in Utah are only applicable in certain cities, such as the Kaysville law that states you can’t enter a convenience store after dark without presenting an I.D. Trout Creek is another Utah town with an unusual law – you can’t use gunpowder to cure a headache. Apparently, this law came about because pharmacists once prescribed gunpowder to remedy headaches. What are some fun facts about Utah? Just like weird laws in Utah, fun facts about Utah about abundant. For example, did you know that Utah is the only state where every county contains a portion of a national forest? Or, what about the fact that the inventor of the Frisbee as well as the inventor of the prototype of the first all-electric television are both from Utah? Lastly, there’s the fact that Utah is the only state whose capital is three words long. Interestingly enough, it was initially four words long. That’s right; Salt Lake City was originally known as Great Salt Lake City; however, it was eventually shortened because it was deemed too similar to Great Salt Lake.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to weird laws in Utah, the laws mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are several other illegal things in Utah that’ll have you scratching your head. For instance, it’s illegal to cause any sort of catastrophe in Utah. So, what exactly qualifies as a catastrophe? Well, according to the state’s criminal code, a catastrophe is defined as the “use of a weapon of mass destruction or explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction.”
What are some other illegal things in Utah that are on the odd side?
Weird laws in Utah are plentiful. One such law is that it’s illegal to modify the weather in Utah – without a permit, that is. According to the Utah Administrative Code, weather modifications include “all acts undertaken to artificially distribute or create nuclei in cloud masses for the purposes of altering precipitation, cloud forms, or other meteorological parameters." Some weird laws in Utah are only applicable in certain cities, such as the Kaysville law that states you can’t enter a convenience store after dark without presenting an I.D. Trout Creek is another Utah town with an unusual law – you can’t use gunpowder to cure a headache. Apparently, this law came about because pharmacists once prescribed gunpowder to remedy headaches.
What are some fun facts about Utah?
Just like weird laws in Utah, fun facts about Utah about abundant. For example, did you know that Utah is the only state where every county contains a portion of a national forest? Or, what about the fact that the inventor of the Frisbee as well as the inventor of the prototype of the first all-electric television are both from Utah? Lastly, there’s the fact that Utah is the only state whose capital is three words long. Interestingly enough, it was initially four words long. That’s right; Salt Lake City was originally known as Great Salt Lake City; however, it was eventually shortened because it was deemed too similar to Great Salt Lake.
